srivalmiki ramayanam - balakanda - sarga 33 to 35

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

(Commentary by Scholar,   Sreeman Brahmasree Desiraju Hanumantharao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasree K M K Murthy ji )

Sree MadValmiki Ramayanam

Bala Kanda - Book Of Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 33

Introduction

Daughters of Kushanaabha report about the Air-god's mischief. Pleased at their behaviour Kushanaabha thinks and arranges for their marriage with Brahmadatta, a saintly king. After the marriage, by the touch of hand of Brahmadatta the girls are rid of their misshapen bodies and they again become great beauties

tasya tad vacanam shrutvaa kushanaabhasya dhiimataH |
shirobhiH caraNau spR^iSTvaa kanyaa shatam abhaaSata || 1-33-1

On hearing that sentence of scholarly Kushanaabha those hundred girls touched his feet with their foreheads and spoke to him. [1-33-1]

vaayuH sarvaatmako raajan pradharSayitum icChati |
ashubham maargam aasthaaya na dharmam pratyavekSate || 1-33-2

" 'The all-pervasive Air-god desired to dishonour us, oh, king, resorting to improper approach and overlooking virtuous conduct. [1-33-2]

pitR^imatyaH sma bhadram te svacChande na vayam sthitaaH |
pitaram no vR^iNiiSva tvam yadi no daasyate tava || 1-33-3

" 'Our father is there and we are not independent, you be safe, hence oh, Air-god, you may request our father to know whether he gives us to you or not.' Thus we have told the Air-god, but... [1-33-3]

tena paapa anubandhena vacanam na pratiicChataa |
evam bruva.ntyaH sarvaaH sma vaayunaa abhihataa bhR^iSam || 1-33-4

" 'Though we all have spoken to him thus, that Air-god who is bound by venality refused to take notice of our words and he has harmed us a lot.' Thus those girls informed their father. [1-33-4]

Since then, because the Wind-God bent / The damsels' forms for punishment, / That royal town is known to fame / By Kanyakubja's borrowed name. That is, the City of the Bent Virgins, the modern Kanauj or Canouge - Griffith.

taasaam tu vacanam shrutvaa raajaa parama dhaarmikaH |
pratyuvaaca mahaatejaaH kanyaa shatam anuttamam || 1-33-5

On listening their words that highly virtuous and highly resplendent king spoke to the hundred girls with unsurpassed virtue. [1-33-5]

kSaantam kSamaavataam putryaH kartavyam sumahat kR^itam |
aikamatyam upaagamya kulam ca aavekSitam mama || 1-33-6

" 'Forgiving is the duty of imperturbable and you have done it. Excellent. Oh, daughters, coursing through your unity my family's prestige is also kept up. [1-33-6]

ala.mkaaro hi naariiNaam kSamaa tu puruSasya vaa |
duSkaram tat ca vai kSaantam tridasheSu visheSataH || 1-33-7
yaadR^ishiiH vaH kSamaa putryaH sarvaasaam avisheSataH |

" 'Forgiveness is an adornment to women, as a matter of fact, even for men, and this matter called 'forgiving' that which is there, it is an impracticable affair. That too, in respect of divinities. And the kind of forgiveness you all possess uniformly, that is further laudable. [1-33-7, 8a]

This also means: 'though you possess excellent aspects and persona alike celestials, viz., apsara-s, for you are the children of celestial / apsara Ghritachi... you have forgiven Air-god, without submitting yourselves to bodily pleasures of humans.'

kSamaa daanam kSamaa satyam kSamaa yaj~naH ca putrikaaH || 1-33-8
kSamaa yashaH kSamaa dharmaH kSamaayaam viSThitam jagat |

" 'Grace is altruism, grace is ritualism, oh, my daughters, grace is glory, grace is virtue, and this universe is verily abiding in graciousness alone for grace itself is the truth, isn't it!' Thus king Kushanaabha said to his daughters and sent them away. [1-33-8b, 9a]

visR^ijya kanyaaH kaakutstha raajaa tridasha vikramaH || 1-33-9
ma.ntraj~no ma.ntrayaamaasa pradaanam saha ma.ntribhiH |
deshe kaale ca kartavyam sadR^ishe pratipaadanam || 1-33-10

"On leaving those girls, oh, Rama, that king whose valour matches that of gods and who is an expert in thinking strategies started to think with his ministers on the topics like, as to how his daughters are to be espoused to, to which country they are to be sent, at which time marriage shall happen, and to which matching bridegroom the marriage is to be proposed, and so on." Thus Vishvamitra continued his narration. [1-33-9b, 10]

etasmin eva kaale tu cuulii naama mahaadyutiH |
uurdhva retaaH shubhaacaaro braahmam tapa upaagamat || 1-33-11

During that time a great-resplendent sage named Cuulii is there, who is propitious in his demeanour and who holds his semen upward, and who has achieved high ascetic practise strictly according to Vedic canons. [1-33-11]

The uurthva retaH is that the yogi-s of a very high practice of pure yoga called haTha yoga, will hold their semen un-ejaculated by use or misuse, and they make it course towards their heads through the six-plexuses of human body. This type of practice is to enrich their mental and physical glow and they will have a divine aura around them.

tapasya.ntam R^iSim tatra ga.ndharvii paryupaasate |
somadaa naama bhadram te uurmilaa tanayaa tadaa || 1-33-12

"While that sage is in the practise of asceticism a celestial female served him at the place of his ascesis, safety be with you oh, Rama, she is Somada by her name, the daughter of Urmila. [1-33-12]

saa ca tam praNataa bhuutvaa shushruuSaNa paraayaNaa |
uvaasa kaale dharmiSThaa tasyaaH tuSTo abhavat guruH || 1-33-13

"Even she is obedient in his respect, and dedicating herself in ministering to him she stayed there righteously. After some time that sage Cuulii has become satisfied with her service. [1-33-13]

sa ca taam kaala yogena provaaca raghu na.ndana |
parituSTo asmi bhadram te kim karomi tava priyam || 1-33-14

"When her service is fructified, oh, Rama, that sage benevolently spoke to her saying, 'I am perfectly pleased with your service, let good betide you, what cherish of yours I have to fulfil.' [1-33-14]

parituSTam munim j~naatvaa gandharvii madhura svaram |
uvaaca parama priitaa vaakyaj~naa vaakya kovidam || 1-33-15

"Perceiving that the sage is contented that female celestial Soamda who is aware of making good sentences is highly delighted and spoke with her melodious voice to that pedantic sage. [1-33-15]

lakSmyaa samudito braahmyaa brahma bhuuto mahaatapaaH |
braahmeNa tapasaa yuk{}tam putram icChaami dhaarmikam || 1-33-16

" 'Vedic splendour is flourishing in you when you have become one with Brahma, oh, supreme ascetic, I may please be endowed with a righteous son whose ascetic spirituality may embody the spirituality enunciated in Veda-s. [1-33-16]

apatiH ca asmi bhadram te bhaaryaa ca asmi na kasyacit |
braahmeNa upagataayaaH ca daatum arhasi me sutam || 1-33-17

" 'I am unmarried and nobody's wife, safe you be, and as I took shelter under your kindness it will be apt of you to endow me a son with your faculty of asceticism.' So said Somada to sage Cuulii. [1-33-17]

tasyaaH prasanno brahmarSir dadau braahmam anuttamam |
brahmadatta iti khyaatam maanasam cuulinaH sutam || 1-33-18

.

"That Brahma-sage Cuulina benignantly bestowed her with a unique and Brahma-like son who is renowned as Brahmadatta, as well as his own brainchild. [1-33-18]

The word 'cuulinaH' also read as Cuulina, another name for this sage Cuuli.

sa raajaa brahmadattaH tu puriim adhyavasat tadaa |
kaa.mpilyaam parayaa lakSmyaa devaraajo yathaa divam || 1-33-19

.

"King Brahmadatta endued with superb grandeur ruled from a city called Kaampilya as with Indra ruling the heaven. [1-33-19]

sa buddhim kR^itavaan raajaa kushanaabhaH sudhaarmikaH |
brahmadattaaya kaakutstha daatum kanyaa shatam tadaa || 1-33-20

"The most righteous king Kushanaabha then made up his mind, oh, Rama of Kakutstha, to espouse his hundred daughters to Brahmadatta. [1-33-20]

tam aahuuya mahaatejaa brahmadattam mahiipatiH |
dadau kanyaa shatam raajaa supriitena a.ntaraatmanaa || 1-33-21

"Inviting Brahmadatta that great-resplendent lord of the land, namely the king Kushanaabha, married his hundred daughters to him, pleasing highly in his heart of hearts. [1-33-21]

yathaa kramam tataH paaNim jagraaha raghuna.ndana |
brahmadatto mahiipaalaH taasaam devapatir yathaa || 1-33-22

"As with the tradition of marriage king Brahmadatta who vies with lord of gods, namely Indra, in succession took the palm of each of the hundred girls into his palm. [1-33-22]

spR^iSTa maatre tataH paaNau vikub.hjaa vigata jvaraaH |
yuk{}taaH paramayaa lakSmyaa babhau kanyaa shatam tadaa || 1-33-23

.

"By mere touch of hand of Brahmadatta alone, their misshape and desperation are evanished, and all of those hundred maidens beamed bright as they are retouched with utmost elegance. [1-33-23]

sa dR^iSTvaa vaayunaa muk{}taaH kushanaabho mahiipatiH |
babhuuva parama priito harSam lebhe punaH punaH || 1-33-24

"On seeing his daughters getting release from the effect of Air-god Kushanaabha became highly joyful, and he took great delight time and again as and when he looked at them. [1-33-24]

kR^ita udvaaham tu raajaanam brahmadattam mahiipatiH |
sadaaram preSayaamaasa sa upaadhyaaya gaNam tadaa || 1-33-25

"Later when the marriage is complete king Kushanaabha bade farewell to king Brahmadatta along with his wives, his own hundred daughters, and along with the groups of religious teachers. [1-33-25]

somadaa api sutam dR^iSTvaa putrasya sadR^ishiim kriyaam |
yathaa nyaayam ca gandharvii snuSaaH taaH pratyana.ndata |
spR^iSTvaa spR^iSTvaa ca taaH kanyaaH kushanaabham prashasya ca || 1-33-26

"Somada, the celestial female and the mother of Brahmadatta, is gladdened to see her son Brahmadatta, for the worthwhile deed done by him in removing the blemish caused by the Air-god to the girls, or in bringing those worthwhile girls as her daughter-in-laws. She is further gladdened while her feet are traditionally and repeatedly touched by a hundred daughter-in-laws in succession, coupled with her own raising of each of the daughter-in-law to embrace for a hundred times. Thus Somada has gone on caressing each of her hundred daughter-in-laws, and in doing so she is gladdened to do so over and over again, she is gladdened. She thus praised Kushanaabha for giving his gemlike daughters as her daughter-in-laws and blessed the daughter-in-laws. [1-33-26]

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe trayaH tri.mshaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 33rd chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 34

Introduction

Vishvamitra narrates about the birth of Gaadhi, his own father and the son of Kushanaabha. Incidentally he narrates about the emergence and prominence of River Kaushiki, who is Vishwamitra's elder sister turned out as a sacred River

kR^ita udvaahe gate tasmin brahmadatte ca raaghava |
aputraH putra laabhaaya pautriim iSTim akalpayat || 1-34-1

When Brahmadatta has married and left, oh, Raghava, king Kushanaabha he embarked on Vedic-ritual called putra kaameSTHi in order to beget a son because is sonless. [1-34-1]

iSTyaam tu vartamaanaayaam kushanaabham mahiipatim |
uvaaca paramodaaraH kusho brahmasutaH tadaa || 1-34-2

During the performance of the ritual, supremely generous Kusha, the brainchild of Brahma and the father of Kushanaabha, spoke to the king Kushanaabha. [1-34-2]

putraH te sadR^ishaH putra bhaviSyati sudhaarmikaH |
gaadhim praapsyasi tena tvam kiirtim loke ca shaashvatiim || 1-34-3

" 'Oh, son, there will be a highly virtuous and selfsame son of yours, known as Gaadhi, and through him you also will get everlasting renown in the world.' " Thus Kusha said to Kushanaabha. [1-34-3]

evam uk{}tvaa kusho raama kushanaabham mahiipatim |
jagaama aakaasham aavishya brahma lokam sanaatanam || 1-34-4

"Saying so, oh, Rama, Kushanaabha's father Kusa entered the sky and journeyed to the time-honoured abode of Brahma. [1-34-4]

kasyacit tu atha kaalasya kushanaabhasya dhiimataH |
jaj~ne parama dharmiSTho gaadhiH iti eva naamataH || 1-34-5

.

"Then after some time that highly intellectual Kushanaabha begot a supremely righteous son known by the name Gaadhi. [1-34-5]

sa pitaa mama kaakutstha gaadhiH parama dhaarmikaH |
kusha va.msha prasuuto asmi kaushiko raghuna.ndana || 1-34-6

"Oh, Rama of Kakutstha dynasty, that eminently righteous Gaadhi is my father, and since I am born in Kusha dynasty, oh, Raghu's legatee, I got the name Kaushika." Sage Vishvamitra thus narrating to Rama. [1-34-6]

puurvajaa bhaginii ca api mama raaghava suvrataa |
naamnaa satyavatii naama R^iciike pratipaaditaa || 1-34-7

"Even my elder sister who undertook benevolent vows and who is renowned by her name Satyavathi is there, oh, Raghava, and she is given in marriage to sage Ruchika. [1-34-7]

sashariiraa gataa svargam bhartaaram anuvartinii |
kaushikii paramodaaraa saa pravR^ittaa mahaanadii || 1-34-8

"She journeyed to heaven with her body while she followed her departed husband and being a very generous lady she coursed as a great river renowned as River Kaushiki. [1-34-8]

Now called Kos'i (Cosy) corrupted from Kaus'ikí, daughter of Kusha. 'This is one of those personifications of rivers so frequent in the Grecian mythology, but in the similar myths is seen the impress of the genius of each people, austere and profoundly religious in India, graceful and devoted to the worship of external beauty in Greece.' Gorresio.

divyaa puNya udakaa ramyaa himava.ntam upaashritaa |
lokasya hitakaarya artham pravR^ittaa bhaginii mama || 1-34-9

"Desiring to yield benefit for the welfare of world, my sister has emerged with her divinely pious and delightful waters, taking recourse to Himalayan Mountains. [1-34-9]

If the first compound is lokasya hita kaama artham then 'to accord both mortal and immortal happiness; paara laukika, aihika saukhyam . My sister's holy waves are hurled / To purify and glad the world. - Griffith.

tato aham himavat paarshve vasaami niyataH sukham |
bhaginyaam sneha sa.myuk{}taH kaushikyaa raghuna.ndana || 1-34-10

"Thereby, oh, Rama, I am delightfully and abidingly residing on the mountainsides of Himalayas, in adjacency of my sister Kausiki in all my affection for her. [1-34-10]

saa tu satyavatii puNyaa satye dharme pratiSThitaa |
pativrataa mahaabhaagaa kaushikii saritaam varaa || 1-34-11

"She that Satyavathi for her part is a pious one, steadfast in truthfulness and righteousness, a husband devout, and such a highly fortunate one has emerged as a best river among rivers, namely River Kaushiki. [1-34-11]

aham hi niyamaat raama hitvaa taam samupaagataH |
siddha aashramam anupraaptaH siddho asmi tava tejasaa || 1-34-12

"Owing to my vow, oh, Rama, I left her for a while and came to the Accomplished Hermitage and owing to your magnificence I have become accomplished in that vow of mine. [1-34-12]

eSaa raama mama utpattiH svasya va.mshasya kiirtitaa |
deshasya ca mahaabaaho yan maam tvam paripR^icChasi || 1-34-13

"Oh, dextrous Rama, this is all about my dynasty, my province on which we are presently camping namely the riverbanks of Sona, and about my birth, and thus everything is narrated as you have asked me. [1-34-13]

gato ardha raatraH kaakutstha kathaaH kathayato mama |
nidraam abhyehi bhadram te maa bhuut vighno adhvani iha naH || 1-34-14

"By telling these legends it is past midnight, oh, Kakutstha, you get some sleep. Safe you be! Let no hindrance occur for us halfway on our pathway. [1-34-14]

niSpandaaH taravaH sarve niliinaa mR^iga pakSiNaH |
naishena tamasaa vyaaptaa dishaH ca raghuna.ndana || 1-34-15

"Oh, Raghu's delight, trees are standstill... animals and birds have slouched... nightly sombre has pervaded all the confines. [1-34-15]

shanaiH visR^ijyate sa.ndhyaa nabho netraiH iva aavR^itam |
nakSatra taaraa gahanam jyotirbhiH avabhaasate || 1-34-16

"Eventide lapsed slowly and the vault of heaven filled with stars and starlets is splendorous as though orbs of heaven are overspread on its vault. [1-34-16]

uttiSThate ca shiitaa.mshuH shashii loka tamo nudaH |
hlaadayan praaNinaam loke manaa.msi prabhayaa svayaa || 1-34-17

"Also, dissipating the darkness of the world with his brilliance, the moon with coolant moonbeams is rising up, gladdening the hearts of worldly beings. [1-34-17]

naishaani sarva bhuutaani pracara.nti tataH tataH |
yakSa raakSasa sa.nghaaH ca raudraaH ca pishita ashanaaH || 1-34-18

"Now, the bands of yaksha-s, demons, even the ferocious ogres that feed on raw flesh, why them, all the beings that take pleasure in nights are astir, far and wide." So said Vishvamitra to Rama. [1-34-18]

evam uk{}tvaa mahaatejaa viraraama mahaamuniH |
saadhu saadhu iti te sarve munayo hi abhyapuujayan || 1-34-19

Saying so that greatly resplendent and eminent saint Vishvamitra paused, and then all the other sages have revered him saying, "well-said, well-said." [1-34-19]

kushikanaam ayam va.msho mahaan dharmaparaH sadaa |
brahma upamaa mahaatmanaH kushava.mshyaa narottama || 1-34-20

"Sublime is this lineage of Kusha dynasty which always dedicated itself to righteousness, and the dynasts of Kusha are the best ones among mankind, and they symbolise with god Brahma himself, thus they are highly reverential." Thus the other sages have applauded Vishvamitra and his dynasty. [1-34-20]

visheSeNa bhavaan eva vishvaamitra mahaayashaH |
kaushikii saritaam shreSThaH kula udyotakarii tava || 1-34-21

"You alone are exemplarily selfsame to Brahma, oh, Vishvamitra of great-renown, and among rivers that prominent River Kaushiki is your sister, thus she is glorifying your ancestry." Thus the sages lauded Vishvamitra. [1-34-21]

muditaiH muni shaarduulaiH prashastaH kushika aatmajaH |
nidraam upaagamat shriimaan astam gata iva a.mshumaan || 1-34-22

Sage Vishvamitra is pleased when those tigerly sages have laude him, and then that magnificent sage Vishvamitra lapsed into the lap of sleep, as the sun lapses into lap of dusk for that day. [1-34-22]

raamo api saha saumitriH ki.mcit aagata vismayaH |
prashasya muni shaarduulam nidraam samupasevate || 1-34-23

Even Rama with a little astonishment coming upon him, applauding that tigerly-sage, and glided into the lap of sleep along with Soumitri. [1-34-23]

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe catur tri.mshaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 34th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

Bala Kanda - The Youthful Majesties

Chapter [Sarga] 35

Introduction

Sage Vishvamitra along with others reach the banks of River Ganga and they make their sojourn on that riverbank. There when Rama inquisitively enquires about River Ganga Vishvamitra narrates the legend of Ganga, as to how she is taken to heavens by gods from her father Himalayas.

upaasya raatri sheSam tu shoNaa kuule maharSibhiH |
nishaayaam suprabhaataayaam vishvaamitro abhyabhaaSata || 1-35-1

On sojourning the remaining night on the bank of river Sona along with great-sages, Viswamitra spoke when that night is elapsing into a sunny daybreak. [1-35-1]

suprabhaataa nishaa raama puurvaa sa.ndhyaa pravartate |
uttiSTha uttiSTha bhadram te gamanaaya abhirocaya || 1-35-2

"Oh, Rama, night fared into a sunny morning, eastern day-spring is set in, hence awake and arise, you be safe, ready yourself for further travel." [1-35-2]

tat shrutvaa vacanam tasya kR^itvaa paurva aahNika kriyaH |
gamanam rocayaamaasa vaakyam ca idam uvaaca ha || 1-35-3

On hearing the words of Sage Vishvamitra, Rama woke up and on completion of morning time religious activities he readied himself for further journey and indeed spoke this sentence to the sage. [1-35-3]

ayam shoNaH shubha jalo gaadhaH pulina maNDitaH |
katareNa pathaa brahman sa.mtariSyaamahe vayam || 1-35-4

"This River Sona is with auspicious waters and even adorned with dunes, where it is not so deep. Oh, Brahman, in which of the two ways, namely by fordless waters or by fordable water with dunes, we have to cross this river?" [1-35-4]

evam uk{}taH tu raameNa vishvaamitro abraviit idam |
eSa pa.nthaa mayaa uddiSTo yena yaanti maharSayaH || 1-35-5

When Rama spoke to him thus sage Vishvamitra replied, "I propose the same route by which these great sages are going. [1-35-5]

evam uk{}tvaa maharSayo vishvamitreNa dhiimataa |
pashyantaH te prayaataa vai vanaani vividhaani ca || 1-35-6

Thus spoken by that astute Sage Vishvamitra, the other great sages travelled on, indeed beholding diverse forests and their environs. [1-35-6]

te gatvaa duuram adhvaanam gate ardha divase tadaa |
jaahnaviim saritaam shreSThaam dadR^ishur muni sevitaam || 1-35-7

.

On going a distance on their way, and after a lapse of half a day, then they perceived the prominent one among rivers and the one adored by sages, namely River Ganga. [1-35-7]

taam dR^iSTvaa puNya salilaam ha.msa saarasa sevitaam |
babhuuvur munayaH sarve muditaa saha raaghavaaH || 1-35-8

On seeing River Ganga with her pious waters and adored by swans and saarasa waterfowls, all the sages felt delighted together with both of the Raghava-s, namely Rama and Lakshmana. [1-35-8]

tasyaaH tiire tataH cakruH te aavaasa parigraham |
tataH snaatvaa yathaa nyaayam sa.mtarpya pitR^i devataaH || 1-35-9
hutvaa caiva agnihotraaNi praashya ca amR^itavat haviH |
vivishur jaahnavii tiire shubhaa mudita maanasaaH || 1-35-10
vishvaamitram mahaatmaanam parivaarya sama.ntataH |

Then they sojourned on the riverbank of Ganga, and next on taking bath in Ganga they have customarily offered that river's water as oblations to their manes. After that, on enkindling the ritual-fire they have also offered fire-oblations into it for gods. Later, dining on their part of those ambrosian oblations with which they have oblated the fire, those sages perched on the propitious banks of Ganga, surrounding the great-souled Vishvamitra from all sides, to the contentment of their heart in having performed religious chores on the riverbank of Ganga. [1-35-9, 10, 11a]

viSTitaaH ca yathaa nyaayam raaghavo ca yathaa arham |
sa.mprahR^iSTa manaa raamo vishvaamitram atha abraviit || 1-35-11

.

When sages are sitting at ease then even Rama and Lakshmana sat down according to their admissibility and custom of sitting before their teachers, and then Rama highly gladdened at heart has spoken to Vishvamitra. [1-35-11]

bhagavan shrotum icChaami ga~Ngaam tri patha gaam nadiim |
trailokyam katham aakramya gataa nada nadiipatim || 1-35-12

"Oh, godly sage, I wish to listen about Ganga, the river that has a trinal course, and as to how she is reaching the husband of rivulets and rivers, namely the ocean, on pervading all the three worlds." Thus Rama asked Vishvamitra. [1-35-12]

codito raama vaakyena vishvaamitro mahaamuniH |
vR^iddhim janma ca ga.ngaayaa vak{}tum eva upacakrame || 1-35-13

.

Motivated by Rama's words the eminent-sage Vishvamitra commenced to narrate about the emergence and that way even about the progression of River Ganga. [1-35-13]

shailendro himavaan raama dhaatuunaam aakaro mahaan |
tasya kanyaa dvayam raama ruupeNa apratimam bhuvi || 1-35-14

"The lordly mountain Himavan who is the greatest treasure trove of minerals, Rama, also treasures up a pair of daughters who by their comeliness are unequalled on earth. [1-35-14]

yaa meru duhitaa raama tayor maataa sumadhyamaa |
naamnaa menaa manoj~naa vai patnii himavataH priyaa || 1-35-15

"The slender-waisted and fascinating daughter of Mt. Meru, oh, Rama, renowned by her name Mena, is the dear wife of Himavan and the mother of those two daughters, indeed. [1-35-15]

tasyaam ga.nga iyam abhavat jyeSThaa himavataH sutaa |
umaa naama dvitiiyaa abhuut kanyaa tasya eva raaghava || 1-35-16

.

"This Ganga has emerged as an elder daughter to Himavan through Mena, oh, Raghava, and that way a girl renowned by the name Uma has become a second daughter to him. [1-35-16]

atha jyeSThaam suraaH sarve deva kaarya cikiirSayaa |
shailendram varayaamaasuH ga.ngaam tri patha gaam nadiim || 1-35-17

"Later, all of the divinities intending to fulfil a divine purpose have sought the lordly mountain Himavan to spare Ganga, who is scheduled to become a tri-way-cruising river. [1-35-17]

dadau dharmeNa himavaan tanayaam loka paavaniim |
svacCha.nda patha gaam ga.ngaam trailokya hita kaamyayaa || 1-35-18

"With a righteous thinking and hopeful of the welfare in triadic world, Himavan then spared his daughter Ganga whose flow is at her own volition. [1-35-18]

pratigR^ihya triloka artham triloka hita kaa.nkshiNaH |
ga.ngaam aadaaya te agacChan kR^itaarthena a.ntaraatmanaa || 1-35-19

"Those divinities who are the well-wishers of the well-being of tri-world welcomed Ganga, who is incidentally intended for the purpose of the tri-world, and they came back to heaven fetching Ganga with them, with a heartfelt joy for their purpose is fulfilled. [1-35-19]

yaa ca anyaa shaila duhitaa kanyaa aasiit raghuna.ndana |
ugram suvratam aasthaaya tapaH tepe tapodhanaa || 1-35-20

"The other daughter of Himavanta, oh, Raghu's descendent, that unmarried girl namely Uma, she performed a rigorous sacrament taking hold of a supreme devoutness as her ascesis itself is her wealth. [1-35-20]

ugreNa tapasaa yuk{}taam dadau shailavaraH sutaam |
rudraaya apratiruupaaya umaam loka namaskR^itaam || 1-35-21

"As for Uma who is unified with her rigorous sacrament and who is adored by all the world, that best one among mountains Himavanta gave such a daughter to the unique god Rudra. [1-35-21]

ete te shaila raajasya sute loka namaskR^ite |
ga.ngaa ca saritaam shreSThaa umaadevii ca raaghava || 1-35-22

.

"Oh, Raghava, the prominent one among rivers namely Ganga and Uma Devi as well, these are the two daughters of the king of mountains that are highly revered by the world. [1-35-22]

etat te sarvam aakhyaatam yathaa tri patha gaaminii |
kham gataa prathamam taata gatim gatimataam vara || 1-35-23

"Dear boy Rama with beautiful gait, as to how the triply coursing Ganga has cruised to heaven in the first phase, I have related all about that cruise to you. [1-35-23]

The three-way coursing of the river is firstly as Ganga in the lap of Himalayas. Then when she cruised heavenward with divinities as Deva Ganga, or Mandaakini or Sudiirghika, it is second. Later, when she came to earth from heaven and gone into ocean and even to netherworlds as Jahnavi, it is the third. There are variations for this. Some say that the river's entry into sky is the first, by taking words gati mataam vara, gati and deriving meaning as - which sky grants a path for all moving things etc., and the next is her entry to heaven, and nextly her coming to earth. And some say that gods have not left her in middle of the sky to come to heaven at a later time, and hence her three courses are as Ganga, Mandaakini, and Jahnavi.

sa eSaa sura nadii ramyaa shailendra tanayaa tadaa |
sura lokam samaaruuDhaa vipaapaa jala vaahinii || 1-35-24

"As such, that marvellous and sinless daughter of the lordly mountain Himavanta, ever-flowing in the form of water, ascended to the abode of divinities and became deva ganga , Divine River. [1-35-24]

iti vaalmiiki raamaayaNe aadi kaavye baala kaaNDe pa.nca tri.mshaH sargaH

Thus, this is the 35th chapter in Bala Kanda of Valmiki Ramayana, the First Epic poem of India.

(Sree Valmiki Ramayana

courtesy from

Sree Brahmasri Desiraju Hanumanta Rao ji

and  Sreeman Brahmasri K M K Murthy ji

 I Humbly bow to the  lotus feet of both of them

for the collection